The Seattle Mariners entered June leading the AL West and holding the third-best record in the American League. With the club now entering the weekend 6.5 games back of the Houston Astros in the division, reinforcements are being targeted at the MLB trade deadline.
Mariners’ reporter Daniel Kramer of MLB.com did a Reddit AMA, shedding light on how the club will approach the trade deadline. He noted that Seattle is focused on adding an impact bat at a corner infield spot, along with a reliever.
Related: Mariners reporter sheds light on club’s trade deadline approach
- Seattle Mariners lineup stats (ESPN): 365 runs scored (12th), .246 batting average (17th), .323 OBP (10th), .404 slugging (11th)
While catcher Cal Raleigh is producing at an MVP-caliber level this season, there are several glaring holes in the Mariners’ lineup. Seattle’s first basemen rank 20th in OPS (.678), and its third basemen rank 25th in OPS (.607).
The club has already been linked to a pair of corner infielders in the National League, but their availability is unknown. Seattle is also among the teams in the market for bullpen help, wanting to add more late-inning options.
Related: Insider suggests Seattle Mariners GM on hot seat, impact on trade deadline
- Seattle Mariners bullpen stats (FanGraphs): 3.78 ERA (17th), 1.34 WHIP (20th), .245 batting average allowed (18th)
Notably, per Kramer, ownership has made it clear to the Mariners’ front office that they have approval to add payroll this summer. The lack of payroll flexibility greatly impacted Seattle’s ability to improve the roster this summer, but Jerry Dipoto now has the green light.
Notably, per Kramer, ownership has made it clear to the Mariners’ front office that they have approval to add payroll this summer. The lack of payroll flexibility greatly impacted Seattle’s ability to improve the roster this offseason, but Jerry Dipoto now has the green light.
Boasting one of the strongest farm systems in baseball and with Dipoto potentially on the hot seat, the Mariners could be one of the more aggressive buyers at the MLB trade deadline.
